The Catholic Community of Bradford St

Sunday, March 12, 2017

The Catholic Community of Bradford St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. Francis of Assisi 95 East Corydon Street 15 St. Francis Drive Website: www.stbernardcatholic.org Website: www.stfrancisomph.com On-line giving: www.osvonlinegiving/1845 Our Mother of Perpetual Help (A Secondary Mission Church) Very Rev. Raymond Gramata, V.F. Pastor Rev. Stanley Swacha, Senior Associate

P.O. Box 2394 • Bradford, PA 16701-5394 Phone: (814) 362-6825 • Fax: (814) 362-1479 Email: [email protected]

MASS SCHEDULE:

Monday: 8 a.m. St. Bernard 9 a.m. St. Francis

Tuesday: 9 a.m. St. Francis

Wednesday: 8 a.m. St. Bernard 10 a.m. St. Bernard School

Thursday: 8 a.m. St. Bernard St. Bernard of Clairvaux 9 a.m. St. Francis

Friday: 8 a.m. St. Bernard

Saturday: 9 a.m. St. Francis Confessions 4:30-5:00 pm 5:15 p.m. St. Bernard

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. St. Francis 10 a.m. St. Bernard 11:30 a.m. Our Mother of Perpetual Help

St. Francis of Assisi ST.ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXCLAIRVAUX CHURCH BRADFORD,BRADFORD, PAPA

As we celebrate the second week of Lent, I would like to share with you some thoughts from Matthew Kelly’s book: “Resisting Happiness”. One of his recurrent thoughts in the book is that we are called to be the best version of our self. If you think on this statement you realize that it is also the purpose of Lent – to become the BEST VERSION OF OUR SELF.

To share with you one thought from the book: “The primary purpose of work is not to make money. The primary purpose of work is to help us become the person God created us to be.” This also reflects the meaning of Lent.

Lent is a time for reflection to see what direction our life is taking. Are we possibly sliding into mediocrity and boredom? Let us again listen to Matthew Kelly: “To say that we are bored at any moment in our lives is a massive insult to God, but to say we are bored at Mass takes the insult to a whole other level…Boredom is a manifestation of selfishness. It can only occur when we are overly focused on ourselves. It always means that we have set God and neighbor aside to focus exclusively on ourselves and that is never a recipe for happiness.”

Mediocrity leads to boredom, to apathy. Lent is called to arouse us from all the negativity that we may find in ourselves. At times we have become complacent, we are too comfortable and then we develop resistance to anything new.

Again from Matthew Kelly: “From time to time it is good for us all to learn to listen again. Listen to those you love. Listen to your body. Listen to your conscience and soul. Listen to God.”

Lent is asking us to open ourselves to listen to God and let the Word of God (Jesus) change us for the better. Let us listen now to the word of God found in today’s Gospel reading: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

God Bless, Fr. Ray

FAMILIES ALWAYS MATTER Looking for resources for your family? Visit the Diocese of Erie Family website at: http://www.eriercd.org/fam.htm ST. FRANCIS / OMPH and discover why families always matter! PARISIONERS If you have your donations set up as an auto-pay through your bank, please make sure you change the mailing ad- St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School dress for the payment to PO BOX 2394, Bradford, PA Please support St. Bernard School 16701. with your monthly envelope. March 13-17: Grades 1-8 & Pre-school/ Kindergarten Registration for 2017/2018 School Year STATIONS OF THE CROSS March 17: St. Patrick’s Day: Wear Green with Uniform: Wednesdays starting March 8, 2017 at Irish Dancers 10:30 St. Francis of Assisi Church at 5:30 pm March 20-24: Science Fair for Grades 2-4 Thursdays starting March 9 th at March 23: Early Dismissal 12:15 Bus, 12:30 Car St. Bernard Church at March 24: Niagara Chocolate Candy Delivery 7 pm with confessions following. 2:30-5:30 Pick Up March 26: 1st Penance after 10 am mass at SB Church March 31: Dress Down for Dress Code

Check our website, www.stbernardschool.org

Wed, March 15 th , 10 am Mass — Grades 1 & 2 Check it out: www.osvonlinegiving/1845 222NDNDND SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 12, 2017

UPCOMING MEETINGS OUR PARISHES THANK YOU th Catholic Women: March 14 @ 6:30 pm in Fr. FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS Gallina Hall St. Bernard Widows Group: March 21 st @ Chapel @ 1pm March 5 th Weekly Collection………....$ 9,393 RCIA: Sundays @ 1pm,March 12 th , 19 th & 26 th Avg Wkly Operating Exp ……..……..$10,272 th th th REP 1-8: Sundays @ 9am, March 12 , 19 & 26 THIS WEEK’S DEFICIT……………..$ 879 (Mass) St. Francis of Assisi March 5 th Weekly Collection…....$ 1,904 REP 9 &10: Sundays @ 5:45 March 19 th & 26 th Our Mother of Perpetual Help ACTS Class: will resume after Easter March 5 th Weekly Collection…....$ 1,379 50+ Club: Wednesday, TBA - Fr. Ritchie Hall th Please do not staple or tape your Rosary Altar: Thursday, April 13 @ 7 pm - Fr. envelopes closed! Thank you! Ritchie Hall LENTEN RESOURCES The Office of Parish Social Ministry and Respect Life is HOME VISITS offering resources for individuals and families for the Lenten We are compiling a list of those who received season. These resources include weekly Scripture for home visits/Communion from J.E. O’Mara. reflection, service project suggestions and additional Also, if you are physically unable to attend mass and want resources for assisting families in preparing for Easter. weekly Communion, please contact the parish office at 362 This is a great opportunity for families to find ways to -6825 with your address/ phone number and Father will call devote time to scripture and service together. to arrange future visits. Access these resources at http://www.eriercd.org/justice.htm. WORD OF LIFE “The victims of this [throwaway] culture are precisely the MARRIAGE MOMENTS weakest and most fragile human beings – the unborn, the Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk" (Gn. 12: 1) Moving poorest, the sick and elderly, the seriously handicapped, etc. to a new home can be exciting, exhausting, and scary - all – who are in danger of being ‘thrown away’, expelled from a at the same time. Share the best and worst part of a move system that must be efficient at all costs.” you've made together. Pope Francis, Dec. 7, 2013 PRAY THE ROSARY AFTER MASS We will be praying the Rosary after the 8 am mass on Sunday mornings at St. Francis

IN WRITING BY Church. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME NOON ON FRIDAY PRAY WITH US 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BULLETIN DATE. A Night of Faith --- Fun --- Music Saturday, APRIL 1 ststst ATTENTION WIDOWS 6 PM at BAHS

Our next meeting will be held on March 21st. We will meet at FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC the Divine Mercy Chapel for recitation of the rosary at 1 pm. All widows in the Bradford Catholic Community are invited. Featuring Christian Comedian Ron Nanney, and Bradford Area Band & Performers Free will offering accepted to benefit DESTINATIONS-BRADFORD ACTS BIBLE STUDY HIATUS

The Acts Bible Study which meets on Thursday evenings at SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Fr. Ritchie Hall is taking a break over the Lenten Season. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 27, 2017. CAR FACTORY ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUXCLAIRVAUX----ST.ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI MARCH 12, 2017

WELCOME FAMILY LIFE Baptism - January 29, 2017 Transfiguration is a common occurrence in families. When Hudson Thomas Wight we commit to another, such as a spouse in marriage or a child in parenting, we are not committing to them only as Baptism - January 15, 2017 they are today, but to the person they are becoming. Lauren Nichole Kathleen Magee Baptism - February 18, 2017 MINISTERS NEEDED Isabella Gina Davidson and for ALL the area masses. We Giana Olivia Davidson are in need of people to serve as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Altar Servers 2017 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL at St. Francis, St. Bernard and Our Mother at the new mass times. If you have a can serve, please call 362-6825 to let us know your mass prefer- ences. Current St. Bernard Ministers, please fill out the sheet in the sacristy of the Church to specify which mass you can serve or call the parish office at 362-6825. We will make a schedule as soon as we can.

Save the Date! Saturday March 25, 2017 4th Annual Erie Men’s Conference

A Key to God’s Mercy

At Erie’s beautiful Warner Theater 9:00AM to 3:30PM

Adoration • Confession • Mass

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in faith! www.2232Men.com

OPERATION RICE BOWL Rice Bowl envelopes are in the envelope packets for your convenience or you can mark “Rice Bowl Donation” on a plain envelope. Your Operation Rice Bowl contributions help COMMITMENT SUNDAY 3/19/17 support Catholic Relief Services, which fights poverty and hunger in the US and 10 countries.

2017 EASTER FLOWER ENVELOPES MARCH CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CLUB There is a special envelope in your The St. Bernard Catholic Women's Club will meet Tuesday, monthly envelope packet for Easter March 14, at 6:30 pm in the Fr. Leo Gallina Social Center. Remembrances. Please enclose your donation and clearly print the names of the Living or Deceased people you want Alicia Hill will present the program, "Move to a New Spring remembered on the lines provided on one side of the enve- Beat." The hostess committee will provide healthy snacks lope. If you do not receive envelopes, you can use a small and the regular meeting will follow. All area Catholic women plain one. Please put your envelopes in the offertory or are invited to attend. drop them off to the parish office by Friday, March 31 st . 222NDNDND SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 12, 2017

St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. Francis of Assisi (Our Mother of Perpetual Help) P.O. Box 2394 • 95 East Corydon Street Bradford, PA 16701-5394 Parish Office: (814) 362-6825 Fax: (814) 362-1479 Email: [email protected]

March 8, 2016

Dear Parishioners:

The 2017 Catholic Services Appeal theme is With Open Hearts - something that appeals to our sense of the common good by providing each of us an opportunity to unite and reach out to those in need that are in our parishes, cities and throughout the Diocese of Erie.

Bishop Persico has stated: “The theme we selected for this year’s Catholic Services Appeal, With Open Hearts , was chosen because we are in a moment of significant transition. Change means challenges - it tests our generosity and our readiness to adjust. But the heart pictured on our cover reminds us that at the center of our lives as Catholics is love. The Catholic Services Appeal gives us a concrete way to live out our faith and to express our love for those in need.”

We may have different thoughts about the 2017 Catholic Services Appeal compared to other years. Our minds are, for the most part, on the changes we have and will experience in our own parishes. But you have all been generous in the past and I expect nothing less this year. Each parish has been assessed as usual by the Diocese. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is to raise at least $39,441 and Saint Francis of Assisi is to raise at least $27,222. (Because of the merger between Saint Francis and Our Mother of Perpetual Help, the assess- ment has been blended into one.) As you know any money collected over the assessed amount remains in the respective parish for the good of the parish. At this time, there has been no specific designation for the money that stays here.

The Catholic Services Appeal has ministered and provided services to thousands of individuals and families throughout our Northwestern and Central Pennsylvania communities . The needs continue and in some cases are growing. As they do, so does the need to ask you for support. Your pledge to the Catholic Services Appeal will help us continue to preach, to teach, and to serve. I encourage you to read the special CSA issue of Faith Magazine. Then I hope you will see how vital your CSA gift is to your parish and Dio- cese; how important it is to many people. Please prayerfully consider your response to the Catholic Services Appeal.

God Bless,

Fr. Raymond Gramata

Father Raymond Gramata

Phone: 814-362-6825 ´ PO Box 2394, 95 W. Corydon Street ´ Email: sboﬃce@atlancbb.net ´ Fax: 814-362-1479 ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX/ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH INFORMATION

MEMBERSHIP: All Baptized Catholics should be registered, PASTORAL STAFF: practicing and supporting members of a Parish. Only properly Very Rev. Raymond C. Gramata, Pastor registered members appear on our parish list and are eligible to Rev. Stanley Swacha, Senior Associate receive the benefits of parish membership for sacraments, and Mrs. Kimberly A. Mooney, Principal SBS educational opportunities (including tuition assistance) at our Catholic School. Each parishioner is called upon to practice OFFICE HOURS: good stewardship of time, talent and treasure. If you are not Monday: 9 am to 4 pm currently receiving envelopes, you may not be registered. Call Tuesday - Friday: 8 am to 4 pm the Parish Office - we would love to meet you! Ms. Wendy Thomson, Financial Manager Ms. Kathy Bryant, Secretary MARRIAGE: Couples need to contact a priest at least six months before their wedding . Registered and active participation MASS SCHEDULE: needs to be considered before marriage. Please consult bulletin

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish RECONCILIATION: Office to request the Sacrament of the Sick for family members Saturday: 4:30 to 5 pm, Thursday before who are seriously ill. Communion for the sick is taken to the First Friday: 4:30 to 5 pm at St. Bernard. hospital, nursing homes, and the home-bound on a regular basis. Private appointments may be made by calling Parish Office. BAPTISM: Both parents must attend the Pre-Baptism Preparation Program. Please call the St. Bernard Parish Office RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM for dates and times of upcoming class. Baptisms are scheduled (REP) after completing the program. Call the Parish Office to schedule Students not attending Catholic school the class and baptism. Godparents must be at least 16, confirmed should be enrolled in REP programs. St. and active, registered members of their parish. Bernard, St. Francis and OMPH Religious Education programs are combined. Grades 1 through 8 meet on Sunday mornings at 9 am at St. Bernard in Fr. Gallina Social Center and STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation) meet at St. Religious Education: Francis in G. Carlton Ritchie Hall at 5:15 pm on Grades 1-8, 9 am Sunday mornings at St. Bernard Sunday. Both programs begin in September. Grades 9, 10 & 11(Confirmation), 5:45 pm Sunday evenings at St. Francis RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

Liturgical OF ADULTS (RCIA): Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors We welcome all inquiries about the Catholic faith. Music Director Kathy O’Mara This process begins in the fall of the year. Please call Organist St. Francis Michael Hicks the Parish Office for further information. Resurrection Choir Mariann Pascarella God’s Housekeepers Parish Office ST. BERNARD ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE Liturgy Fr. Raymond C. Gramata SCHOOL: 450 West Washington Street: serving students, Parish Community preschool through eighth grade. Open to parishioners, St. Bernard School Kim Mooney, Principal Catholics from other parishes and those of other Parish Council Fr. Raymond Gramata faiths. Offering Extended Care before, during, and Catholic Women’s Club Joan Yohe after school. For complete information, please call Rosary Altar Society Joan Hoffman 368-5302 . Telephone Prayer Chain Natalie Marasco

Cover photos by LongArt Photography MASS INTENTIONS WEEK OF MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MASSES MAR 13 --- MAR 19, 2017 MARCH 18 ––– 19, 2017 Monday, March 13 SB 8:00 am All Parishioners LECTOR SCHEDULE SF 9:00 am Rosario Fabian Family Saturday, March 18 Tuesday, March 14 SB 5:15 pm Jean Truman SF 9:00 am Philip & Pauline Rose (Ralph Rose) Sunday, March 19 Wednesday, March 15 SF 8:00 am Chuck Lang SB 8:00 am David Meimeyer (Toni & Pat Pascarella) SBS 10:00 am Philip Fuhrman (Kathy & Ron Symington) SB 10:00 am Tom Dalton SF 5:30 pm Stations of the Cross OM 11:30 am VOLUNTEER Thursday, March 16 SB 8:00 am Don Raabe (Family) EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE SF 9:00 am Stephen Piscitelli, Jr. (a) (Kim & J.E. O’Mara) Saturday, March 18 SB 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross SB 5:15 pm Cindy Higley/ Kathy & Randy Durner Friday, March 17 Sunday, March 19 SB 8:00 am Wilhelm Potkovick (Potkovick Family) SF 8:00 am April Lang Saturday, March 18 SB 10:00 am Paul Curcio/ Kim Lance/ Chuck Beattie SF 9:00 am Fannie Vogg (Family) OM 11:30 am Carol Vinca SB 5:15 pm Tony Lombardi (a) (Sabatini Lombardi) (confessions 4:30 – 5:00 pm) Hospital/Pavilion: Volunteers Sunday, March 19 Chapel Ridge: Chuck Lang SF 8:00 am Lawrence & Theresa Pace Family (Family) SB 10:00 am Robert & Kristin McCann (Ann Chicketti & ALTAR SERVERS Candy Tingley) Saturday, March 18 OM 11:30 am Roger, Genevieve & Jacob Farrell (Peggy SB 5:15 pm Andrew Truman/ Noah Meyer Pyle) Sunday, March 19 St. Francis Sanctuary light sponsored this week by the parishioners of St. Francis SF 8:00 am Sam Soyke/ Kevin Ackerman SB 10:00 am Erica Marshall/ Abby Coffman OM 11:30 am Jacob Hannahs PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS

Please Pray for the Following Priests Sunday, Mar 12 - Rev. Mark A. Hoffman Monday, Mar 13 - Rev. Msgr. Daniel E. Magraw GODS HOUSEKEEPERS --- SBSBSB Tuesday, Mar 14 - Rev. Msgr. David A. Rubino Wednesday, Mar 15 - Rev. Msgr. H. Desmond McGee Mar 13 - Mar 17: Team 1 Thursday, Mar 16 - Rev. Msgr. Henry L. Krebs L. Hogue/ S. Madison/ R. & J. Geis/ P. Pyle Friday, Mar 17 - Rev. Philip Bilotte Saturday, Mar 18 - Rev. Philip M. Oriole Please pray for those who are sick or suffering:

Thomas Ackley, Virgil Anderson, Betty Baliski, Bill READINGS FOR THE WEEK Baynes, Barb Bernheisel & Foster Family, Shirley Black, John Bove, Tom Burke, Annie Champlain, OF MAR 12, 2017 Dick Clark, Betsy Costello, Ann Cummiskey, Sunday: Gn 12:1-4a/Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22/2 Helen DeFrank, Michael Eaton, Helen Ewell, Rose Feldhaus Tm 1:8b-10/Mt 17:1-9 Family, Ysbella Feldman, Pat Gira rd, Pearl Harris, Brandon Monday: Dn 9:4b-10/Ps 79:8-9, 11, 13/Lk 6:36-38 M. Henry, Jill Henry, Sandy Holsinger, James Kibby, Bill Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20/Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23/Mt 23:1-12 Kline, Lori Kozlowski, Kaylee Marsfelder, Colleen Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20/Ps 31:5-6, 14-16/Mt 20:17-28 McNamara, Shannon McNamara, Mariana Militelo, Anne Thursday: Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-4, 6/Lk 16:19-31 Miller, Joe Monago, Shirley Mongillo, Lou Monti, Cheri Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Ps 105:16-21/ O’Mara, Courtney Prentiss, James Romanelli, Tim Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Romanelli, Cindy Sayers, Nancy Shaw, Judith Shick, Caro Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Ps 103:1-4, 9-12/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Simonds, Steve Skaggs, Sandy Spehar, Lillian Stoddard, Next Sunday: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-9/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/ Bonnie Swackhamer, Matthew Whelan, Richard Yovichin Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42 May they be strengthened by the healing presence of God’s Spirit.